GKAR News

CHICAGO (September 16, 2025) – The National Association of REALTORS^® announced its 2026 Leadership Academy class today. The Leadership Academy is a 10-month program that prepares emerging state and local volunteers for future leadership positions at NAR. The 2026 class consists of twenty agents who are REALTORS^® from across the country.

“The Leadership Academy reflects NAR’s commitment to empowering our members and ensuring the future of our association is shaped by leaders who reflect the strength and diversity of our profession,” said NAR President Kevin Sears. “The 2026 class brings together a remarkable group whose perspectives and experiences will help drive innovation, collaboration and meaningful impact at every level of the organization.”

The 20 NAR members selected will participate in a diverse range of educational experiences as they join a nationwide community of volunteer leaders. During the 10-month journey, participants will learn the history, structure and inner workings of NAR while gaining key insights designed to prepare them to serve in prominent leadership positions at all levels of the association.

The 2026 NAR Leadership Academy roster is as follows:

• Ericka Alvarez(Euless, Texas)
• Anne Burroughs(Charlottesville, Virginia)
• Laura Castella(Middletown, New Jersey)
• Alexis Ceasar-White(Cypress, Texas)
• Aaron Chadbourne(Gorham, Maine)
• David Favret(New Orleans, Louisiana)
• Steven Foster(Stowe, Vermont)
• Quivari Jackson(Cincinnati, Ohio)
• Anthony Kelly(Portland, Oregon)
• Robert Kozlowski(Brunswick, Georgia)
• Brian Kwilosz(Downers Grove, Illinois)
• Deborah McGhee(Saucier, Mississippi)
• Kerry Ramage(Melbourne, Florida)
• Yared Rivera(Henderson, Nevada)
• Natalie Rowe(Portage, Michigan)
• Jaye Sanders(Royal Oak, Michigan)
• Vlora Sejdi(Mahopac, New York)
• Brandon Shaffer(Bloomington, Illinois)
• Michael Wallin(Vancouver, Washington)
• Kevin Wilson(Nashville, Tennessee)

The program will begin in January 2026 and culminate in November 2026 at NAR NXT, The REALTOR^® Experience in New Orleans. For more information about NAR’s Leadership Academy, including individual session summaries and resources for prospective 2027 applicants, visit nar.realtor/leadershipacademy. The application period for the 2027 class runs from November 12, 2025, through February 10, 2026.

About the National Association of REALTORS^®

The National Association of REALTORS^® is involved in all aspects of residential and commercial real estate. The term REALTOR^® is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS^® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. For free consumer guides about navigating the homebuying and selling transaction processes – from written buyer agreements to negotiating compensation – visit facts.realtor.